Chapter 28: Part 28

/Abel's POV/

On the day of gathering, my eyes couldn't stop following Emma, who was with Avon. Despite being unable to hear from I was standing, I saw her lips moving, lost in thought. For a second or two, I caught her looking back at me, hands clasped together, the same confused glint in her eyes from the day before. I studied the omega in short bursts when she was not looking in my direction.

I stared at Emma as if she had the answer to a mystical question inside my head and looked away far too late. Besides, she's with Avon, and so I decided it's best if I stayed at a distance. So planting my feet firmly to the ground, not wanting them to betray me and carry to the source of the brightness, because, despite the confusion and the staring, Emma seemed to be glowing under those fireworks. Her cheeks are slightly flushed a wondrous pink, probably from cold. I observed her beauty, how her long hair shifts carefully in the slight breeze, how her lips turn a stark white then a deep red every time her square teeth bite into them.

"Moons," Liam said, crashing by my side, our sides brushing. "What the hell did you say to that poor woman?"

I winced. I knew this evening would be difficult to get through, but I hadn't thought it would start this early. And certainly not from Liam. "What do you mean?"

The beta ducked his head, leaning too close to whisper, "The omega. I talked with Emma a few minutes ago, and she looks miserable. You must have opened your mouth and said something."

Guilt pooled heavily in my stomach as I stared at Liam. "Miserable?"

"Well," Liam sighed. "Not miserable, maybe. But less happy than when I last saw her with Avon."

Something akin to rage coiled in the pit of my belly, but I did not bother replying, grimacing. It was better to let her be if the mere exchange of words was ruining her mood. So I took several steps back from the scene before disappearing into the shadows.

The next morning, I could feel someone elbow me harshly in the side, enough to make me fall from my daydream. I turned to my best friend, sending him a deadly glare. The fact that he appeared all dewy and rosy-cheeked bright in the morning caused me to glare harder, eyes almost closed with how hard I was squinting.

"You're not looking so good today, my friend," He commented as he surveyed the room, hands on his hips.

"Please stop talking," I mumbled, my tone hostile. "I didn't sleep at all last night." I crossed my arms together, my body sagged in the couch, eyes drifting towards the clock hung on the wall.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my friend smirk. "I know."

Affronted, I turned to look at him, huffing, not bothering to move an inch. "What is that supposed to mean?!"

He shrugged in response.

Silence settled between us again, the sound of a clock ticking the only audible thing in the room. I didn't mind, closing my eyes and letting my head loll back.

"Does that mean you are taking a day off?"

I was too deep in sleep to answer him.

***

I never took a day off. Not since I have joined the faculty two years ago. Even though my father owned the university, I did not slack. The last thing I wanted was for other senior lecturers to point that out. No one raised that topic because I never gave them that opportunity.

With my heavy footsteps, I made my way to the administration office the next day when I spotted a familiar figure. I froze, watching Edward standing against the wall, his eyes roaming around as he talked animatedly on the phone. I couldn't believe it at first, simply assuming it to be my sleep-addled brain.

"Edward?" I called out.

A look of recognition dawned on his face, forcing himself off the wall and rushing to me. He murmured something before hanging up the phone and pocketing it.

"Abel!" He said yelled loudly, eyes crinkling in the corner. "No fucking way! What a surprise, man! Come here." The Alpha pulled me in a bone-crushing hug, violently patting my back.

Edward and I go way back. He's the first friend I made in my previous pack. That day was still etched in my memory as if it happened yesterday. As a gifted student, I was promoted directly to year ten from year eight when I met him. He was a loud kid, the class clown, if you can call him that and had everyone wrapped around his finger. When I entered the class, there were some not so friendly stares, the students not ready to make friends with a junior.

Alpha Edward was different, taking me under his wing right away, and we formed an inseparable friendship that lasted for half a decade. We split because my mother made us move away from the old town. I lost contact with him and had no means to track him down.

"It's so good to see you!" I breathed, pulling away and looking at the person standing in front of me. He appeared so different from the foul mouth teenager I knew, his hair trimmed and sporting a five clock shadow, eyes mature and lines on his face.

"Don't tell me you are a student here", My friend wriggled his brow, a teasing glint in his eyes. Some things never change, I thought under my breath.

"I am only two years younger than you, fucker!"

"Still young."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I am an English Professor here."

"That's amazing. I knew you would make it."

Averting my eyes, I looked behind him, noticing the deserted hallway. Of course. It's lunchtime, and most students must be hanging out in the cafeteria.

"So, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, I came to see my sister."

"Your sister?" I folded my lips, a furrow forming in between my brows. He had a younger sister, yes, of course, I remember even though her image was still hazy in my mind. "She's a student here?"

"Mhm..."

"Edward!" A familiar voice interrupted him, making me look up only to see Emma. She stood in the middle of the hallway, eyes wide and mouth gaping like a fish.

"Miss Emma?" I knitted my brows, confused lines marring my face as she avoided looking at me.

My friend turned back and tugged her hand forward, a fond smile taking over his face as he gave her a side hug. Emma buried her face in his chest, her hands gripping his jacket. What was going on here?

"How are you?"

"I-I'm fine." She sniffled, pulling back and blinking her tears.

He made a sound in his throat before turning to face me. "Oh right! Abel, meet my sister, Emma." The Alpha smiled down at her, nudging the woman slightly. "And Emma, you already know my best friend, Abel."

"Wait, how did you know her name, Abel?"

Colour drained my face as I flickered my eyes between them. She's his sister. How could Emma not tell me about it? Why would she hide such an essential part of the information from me? What hidden motive did she have? These questions swirled in my hand, nails digging into my palm.

Emma's head was bowed, though, her teeth puncturing her wobbling bottom lip harshly. She twitched in her spot every few seconds, her eyes flickering between either being open and side-eyeing me or being closed so tightly, it looked like her face would burst.

"Your sister..." I repeated while glaring at her. "That is interesting considering she never mentioned you, Edward."

"Did she now?" He stared at her. "Why would you not tell him about me, Em?"

"Hmm, I wonder why?" I provoked.

She shifted on her feet, tilting her head to meet Edward's eyes, lips pulled between her teeth. "Umm...he's my English professor, brother. I did not want him to favour me because of the connection he has to you."

Edward’s lips broke out in a smile. "You overthink sometimes."

I scoffed internally, seeing through her lies. There must be a reason she hid about her connection with my friend from me. I was not going to let it go so quickly.

"Edward, we have a lot to catch up on...Where are you staying?" I turned to him, putting on a polite smile.

"Oh, I am planning to book a hotel nearby."

"No, you are not! You will be staying with me."

I heard Emma let out an inaudible gasp as she twisted her mouth. Ignoring her, I met Edward's hesitant eyes.

"I don't want to cause you trouble. I will be staying for two weeks."

"Please, it's no trouble at all, Eddie. Besides I live on my own, so it's not an issue."

"Fine."

***